CC Relationship Between Investigation And Forensics Discussion

I’m working on a english discussion question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn.

Explain the differences in the relationship between investigations and forensic sciences. Why is it important for investigators to understand these differences?

According to our text, forensic science is defined as any science that is applied to the law. Forensic science is challenged by the Frye and the Daubert test to see whether evidence as a result of forensic science is permissible in a court. The Frye test examines whether the scientific method used is a generally accepted and recognized method in the general scientific community. This case of Frye v US examined evidenced from a polygraph test that was suppressed because the polygraph test (lie detector test) is not generally accepted as relevant by any relevant scientific discipline. This is known as the General Acceptance Standard.

The Daubert test relies on the scientific method that requires that is testable, able to establish error rates, has been peer reviewed and published in scientific journals, and is generally accepted by scientists who have the training to evaluate the particular science in question. This is known as the Scientific Evidence Standard.

If a particular piece of evidence does not meet these standards, it will likely not be admitted to a trial. And even though there are issues with some scientific methods today, there could be a change in the decision for the scientific method as technology advances and the methods are improved and more accepted by the scientific community.

It is important for investigators to understand these differences because there is a need to find solid evidence in a case and to not rely on sciences that have not yet been perfected. there is a lot of methods shown on tv and in movies that don’t exist and an investigator must be realistic with how they conduct an investigation. and if a technology does exist they must consider if the science will be accepted in their area and permitted by the courts.

Reference:

Lasley, J., & Guskos, N. (2013). Criminal Investigation: An Illustrated Case Study Approach. Pearson Education (US). https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9780133081091 

In the field, every crime reported is subsequently followed by an investigation. These investigations are mostly made up of interviews, and collecting documents/ video footage. Take a online fraud report for example. The victim will report a crime to an officer, the officer will ask for the victim’s statement and the statement of any other parties involved. The officer will then have the victim provide them with bank statements as well as any other pertinent documentation. This act alone, is considered an investigation. Even if the officer is left with no known suspect, the officer still conducted a full investigation.

Forensic Science however, is the use of science to help aid in investigations. In this case officers trained for CSI will collect evidence at the crime scene which is later sent to scientists in the county’s lab. For example an investigation in a bank robbery, officers will follow the same protocol as the online fraud, but a few more steps entail. Officers will then try and lift for latent prints left by the suspect as well as any touch DNA on the doors. once the samples are collected, the officer will have it sent to the lab where it will be examined by scientists who can make a proper determination.

Its is greatly important that officers understand these differences as to not disturb the crime scene or contaminate any evidence that is undetectable by the naked eye.